What No Sleep Looks Like

I’m suffering through another round of insomnia. It’s very frustrating. I’ve always been a night owl but after we moved, I started rising early, before the rest of the family. It was nice to have the whole day stretch out in front of me. Then I got sick before the new year and everything got all jacked up. I slept for…I dunno, maybe three straight days? And ever since, I can’t fall asleep like a normal person – or at least, like a normal Heather. I am usually asleep by 2am, but for the last week I have stared out my bedroom window, watching as the sun changed the sky’s color.

I have been trying to use my awake time for good and not evil. I’ve been taking down Christmas decorations every night. I think I put up something new every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve…there is so much stuff! And for all the fun of putting up the decorations, taking them down is no fun at all. My sweet dad came over on New Year’s Day and took down all my outside decorations – the snowman, the lights, everything. I think he did it 95% out of kindness and 5% because he knew I was sick and wouldn’t be able to go on the roof with him. Annie is NOT doing well with the decorations coming down, even though I tell her that when all the Christmas stuff is gone it means her birthday is here. She’s like…”Christmas Birthday Cake?” Nice try.

DAMN. I should have made her birthday party Christmas themed! Next year.

Speaking of her birthday party…well, my insomnia is coming in handy there, too. I have been scouring pinterest, looking for food ideas, and as I search for different things I am coming across craft ideas and….I’ve been CRAFTING. My reputation is ruined! OK to be fair, I’ve done ONE craft (this balloon wreath, so easy), and cut out about 187 things from card stock. I am great with scissors. I secretly want to be really crafty but 1) I have a short attention span, 2) I already forgot number 2.

We asked Annie five different times, four different ways what she wanted her birthday party theme to be. “Annie, do you want a princess party, Dora the Explorer party, Yo Gabba Gabba party, or a rainbow party?” We’d shuffle the order, and every single time she said, “Gabba birthday! Gabba birthday!” That works out well because she already has a bunch of Gabba stuff we can use as decoration. WINNING.

Here is what a week of no sleep looks like:

That is vintage 2:23 am right there. Not one part of that picture that looks sane.

Sorry, I’m sure you’ve already gotten 3 bajillion suggestions for how to battle insomnia but here’s one more: Valerian Root. After using melatonin for a couple of weeks I realized it was making the bout of depression I was experiencing, worse. Since all OTC sleep aids did the same thing, I wanted to find something more natural with less side effects. I really can’t express to you how amazing I feel the morning after taking this. I didn’t realize I was sleeping that poorly. I feel very well rested after waking and I don’t need as much sleep at night.

Kim says:

Hah, funny how those things work differently for everyone. I’ve had sleep issues my whole life. Melatonin is the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me, while Valerian Root didn’t do anything. I take Melatonin almost every night, with no side effects.

Heather – I’m saying this only b/c I was there with my 11 year old last year – MELATONIN. It’s all natural and just replaces what your body is missing. There’s absolutely no side effects and you’re not groggy when you wake up. Google it :). Hope you get some sleep!!

Jen says:

My mother in law had five kids and at some point she stopped sleeping..so she keeps a stash of these insomnia pills ans last time she sneaked me some..They came in handy during times of stress when I am up from 4 trying to find solutions. See if your mother in law keeps any handy ;-)?

Jackie says:

Trying some meds may be a good idea, but I am a fan of getting your circadian rhythm back on track. I am also a night owl and try not to fight it too much because I believe that is how I am naturally wired.

My suggestion is to be awake when you are supposed to be awake (no naps) and then try to relax and sleep. It would probably be best if you could try to wind down before you are supposed to go to bed. Whatever works for you…a shower or relaxing bath, quiet reading, tea etc and then try to sleep. If you can’t sleep, I would try to do restful activities like reading or maybe deep breathing in bed. If you can sleep the trick as well is to get up when you should get up although it will hurt for a few days!

Not trying to sound too crazy here and I am sure you have heard all of this before.

This is tough for me too. I am currently a grad student working part time so my schedule can be pretty flexible. During the week I make myself go to bed when my husband does at 11pm and get up with him at 7am. It hurts to get up at 7am, but I know if I don’t I will hit the snooze button until 10 and then feel very frustrated with myself!

Julie S says:

Another suggestion-YOGA-not any of the crazy well its kind of yoga but its also weightlifting combos that you see now adays. Genuine yoga with gentle stretches, deep breathing and relaxation. I highly rec. Crunch Joy of Yoga is a great DVD

I love the picture…can’t wait to see pictures of the Gabba birthday! I’m picturing Mike as DJ Lance Rock, you as Foofa, and Annie as Muno or Toodie? Rigsby as Brobee? LOL Sorry you are having so much trouble sleeping.

I too am suffering the horrible insomnia, but to go along with that I sleep all day then, and then am up all night. My husband suggested maybe not napping I LOVE my naps!! But even then I still don’t fall asleep until 5 sometimes 6 AM. And I have been sick with bronchitis since beginning of Dec. and it’s still kicking my butt. The fun cough syrup no longer works. So I am just awake but I feel like my butt is always being kicked. It sucks.
I also am ADDICTED to Pintrest it is where I go to make life better better when I am not feeling it. They have the best recipes things I would NEVER think of. And the most amazing everything else LOL.

Lisa says:

I am a life long insomniac (one reason my mother is not fond of me). And a good reason for me to be not so fond of her either since I inherited from her side of the family. :). I have tried Ambien- its oh so lovely, but I had crazy mostly scary dreams and I did fall over on the way to the bathroom once, it makes you that drowsy. I now take generic Unisom every single night. Sometimes 1 pill, sometimes 2 pills. Last night it was 3. Yikes! Not trying to kill myself, just get some damn sleep. But man not being able to sleep is one of the worst things ever. And I try every now & then to not take any pills. And sure enough, I lay down, my heart starts beating very fast, I can feel the pulse throughout my body. And I just KNOW that I will be up all damn night unless I get my sleepy pills. Its so frustrating. Good luck, may the sleep gods be with you.

Oh lord the Gabba party. We had one for my daughter last year, and guess what she wants her theme to be this year? That shiz is crack.
At least you’re getting some of the crafty things done in your non-sleeping state!

Kayla says:

It normally takes me about half an hour or so to get to sleep, so when I need to get to sleep NOW, I just knock back one or two melatonin and it works like a sleepy, sleepy charm. Bizarre dreams though – watch out for that!

Nikki Doyle says:

I too have been dealing with NO sleep..along with my 3 year old daughter who likes to party it up..thank goodness she’ll sleep till like 11 or noon if she stays up late..and she very rarely takes a nap! The only thing that I hate about not being able to sleep is that the daytime seems wasted away…
Hope you and I & anyone else fighting insomnia all get some good sleep soon!

Marie says:

Kristi Dorson says:

Another vote for melatonin here! I get random bouts of insomnia and it really helps. Trader Joe’s, if you have them, has a nice peppermint chewable tablet. It might give you really vivid dreams, FYI. But that’s kind of cool sometimes!